EMISSupporting Information-based Decision-making in Montréal’s Healthcare System

Community Data Canada Roundtable March 9, 2011, Toronto

Carl DrouinDirection de santé publiqueAgence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal

Direction de santé publique

Presentation outline

Context in which EMIS was created Key principles guiding our strategy in

public health data dissemination Demo of EMIS Website

Content and structureTools

Concluding remarks

Organizational context of EMIS

Ministry of health and social services

18 regional ‘’agencies’’

Public health division

12 local Health and Social Services Centres (CSSS) in Montreal

Plan and provide services according to population health needs

Data-related responsibilities

Medical service providers Municipalities and boroughs Community organizations Schools and school boards Etc.

Local networks

Track the health status of Montrealers (surveillance)

Inform the population and decision makers about health and its determinants

Manage and provide information on the health care system (services delivered, resources, performance, etc.)

INFO ON THE HEALTH SYSTEM

+

INFO ON PEOPLE’S HEALTH

=

SUPPORT PLANNING IN HEALTH

Advantages of EMIS Organizational perspective

A single platform using same tools and technologies More integration in data collection Uniformity in data treatment Less duplication in production and dissemination processes Development and maintenance supported by a larger group with

complementary skills (IT, GIS, analytical expertise related to Service programs and PH data)

User’s perspective A single reference on health data in Montreal (with same structure,

interactive Web-based tools and analytical publications) Same data can be used for different purposes Participate in Website development and validation of further

improvements

Provide settings to enhance data-driven decision-making

Key principles

Go local when possible Diversify products Standardize analytical products and tools Develop products and Website with

partners and data users Integrate within a larger Web strategy

(design, technology)

Provide local data Census geography (CTs and DAs) Health administrative units

CSSS, CLSS, voisinages By health institutions (e.g. hospitals) Sometimes adapted to other geographies

(school boards) More and more of our PH publications are

done in series of 12 (CSSS) Working on a local survey program

111 neighbourhoods

Different products for diversified users

More meaningful information

• = more efforts• = more users?• = used for

• decision- making?

Interactive tools Standardized analytical products

Chiffres-clés (Key numbers)

Place-based (neighbourhoods) characteristics - Montreal

Partnerships

Partners Roles

Local health centres(through Data Users’ Committee and working groups)

Express needs, validate proposals; test applications; promote use of data

Information providers within the organization(mainly PH subdivisions)

Provide surveillance data within their field of expertise; use available technologies and products

Communications department Web strategy; support information process; advise on best practices

Computer department Advise on technological orientations; support development

Agency’s corporate Website

EMIS

Public health director’s Website

Regional portal

Zone forprofessionals

Zone forphysicians

Agency’s Website redevelopment

Other health data

Websites

Local Websites

DEMO

Concluding remarksChallenges to be met

Allow the time required to increase the value of the data Keep a large amount of data and information up-to-date

Continuous feeding of those involved in surveillance Support data utilization among local and community

partners Work on structural (e.g. menus) and technological (e.g.

indicators module instead of Excel and PDF files) improvements

Key message Such type of Website requires to be part of a larger

information system (i.e. data – qualified HR – tools – standardized processes)

Ideas for discussion

How can data really provide bases for reduction in social health inequalities?